DUBROVNIK: staying inside oldtown vs Hotel Excelsior/Hilton?
Feb 2nd, 2008, 12:39 PM
#41
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DAX,
I'm going to try to give you an honest review of the Villa Adriatica, but you may want to do a search on here as well because I found out about this place by reading the recommendations for it.
Okay, the room itself. We too stayed in the "nicest room" so I will do my best to recall the details. It was a nice enough room. I will say that I'm with nukesafe on this subject though; I prefer this kind of place to a cookie cutter chain hotel. The room was a little dark. The bed was comfortable and the room itself was fairly large (for a room in Europe). The bathroom is on the smallish side, and if I recall correctly the hot water heater had to be turned on manually about 10-20 minutes before using the shower. There was a mini refrigerator and a small TV.
The B&B is entered through a very nondescript wooden doorway that brings you into a courtyard, so we were happy that we used the recommended driver to pick us up at the airport and bring us to Villa Adriatica because we would never have found it on our own; there are no signs anywhere. When you get into the courtyard the B&B with the rooms are up the first little set of stairs (maybe 6 steps), and the owners live next door. You enter the b&b and your in a darker lobby-type landing area. The rooms are up another small set of stairs, and the kitchen/living area (which we never used) was down the stairs.
As I said above, the terrace and view are the best thing about the place. If you want some pictures, I have pictures from our trip, and the pictures of Villa Adriatica are near the beginning of the album. Please note that we got a new camera since then, so the pictures aren't the greatest. They can be found at www.kodakgallery.com/tracybates. Just pan down until you find the Croatia album.
Best wishes,
Tracy
I'm going to try to give you an honest review of the Villa Adriatica, but you may want to do a search on here as well because I found out about this place by reading the recommendations for it.
Okay, the room itself. We too stayed in the "nicest room" so I will do my best to recall the details. It was a nice enough room. I will say that I'm with nukesafe on this subject though; I prefer this kind of place to a cookie cutter chain hotel. The room was a little dark. The bed was comfortable and the room itself was fairly large (for a room in Europe). The bathroom is on the smallish side, and if I recall correctly the hot water heater had to be turned on manually about 10-20 minutes before using the shower. There was a mini refrigerator and a small TV.
The B&B is entered through a very nondescript wooden doorway that brings you into a courtyard, so we were happy that we used the recommended driver to pick us up at the airport and bring us to Villa Adriatica because we would never have found it on our own; there are no signs anywhere. When you get into the courtyard the B&B with the rooms are up the first little set of stairs (maybe 6 steps), and the owners live next door. You enter the b&b and your in a darker lobby-type landing area. The rooms are up another small set of stairs, and the kitchen/living area (which we never used) was down the stairs.
As I said above, the terrace and view are the best thing about the place. If you want some pictures, I have pictures from our trip, and the pictures of Villa Adriatica are near the beginning of the album. Please note that we got a new camera since then, so the pictures aren't the greatest. They can be found at www.kodakgallery.com/tracybates. Just pan down until you find the Croatia album.
Best wishes,
Tracy
Feb 2nd, 2008, 12:43 PM
#42
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Also, I mentioned above if you are looking for a beautiful coastal view the Hilton is not the way to go. The rooms were very nice and plush but there were no views. I would at least want a view of the coast or the old town if I was staying in Dubrovnik, as it is stunning, so for me that is a huge negative for the Hilton. But if you are looking for more luxury but without the view, the room itself is very nice and the breakfast buffet (free with the room) is amazing, one of the best I've had on any trip I've taken.
Tracy
Tracy
Feb 3rd, 2008, 07:45 AM
#44
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Thanks again! You all just did me a humongous favor, I really appreciate the fact that you cared to make sure that I end up in the right place. I think I got into the excitement by the mere fact that the best rooms were available. Thanks to you all, I now realize that, while it is a perfectly nice B&B, it is not quite a place that we would be comfortable.
We've stayed in some simple B&B in Dordogne & Italy where we had a great time in the terrace even though the rooms were not that great, but tcreath pictures of the interior really convinced me that it's nothing like the simple B&B I imagined. Your pictures of Dubrovnik, tcreath, are very impressive. They make me want to go NOW. They show how much better the view was when you're higher. I get the picture that Dubrovnik is more amazing from a distance than up close on the street level.
tripgirl:
Perhaps I have to be there to appreciate it, but honestly the deluxe room pictures at Villa Argentina is not that appealing to me, there's a certain "wanna be luxury hotel" factor in the furnishing. Do correct me if I'm wrong, as I'm judging for pictures alone, but it seems as if they want to copy the look of a luxury hotel in Venice or Cote d'Azure but they got the wrong result, what I deem as the Las Vegas factor. I prefer a more original feel or at least croatian feel in a luxury room (not that I know what the croatian feel is). Otherwise, I can be perfectly happy in the right cookie cutter chain hotel room or the right B&B. Hope you don't take it the wrong way, because if it wasn't for your persisitence I would have ended up in the wrong hotel, so a big thanks to you.
We are such creatures of habit and more inclined toward the boring modern Park Hyatts, Le Meridien, Marriott(the newer ones). Just plain solid comfort without being ostentatious. That said, I am hesitant about the Dubrovnik Hilton as there are significant downsides to its location. My greatest hope is that the Excelsior will soon show their new renovated room pictures that will be more agreeable to us otherwise we may choose Villa Argentina.
We've stayed in some simple B&B in Dordogne & Italy where we had a great time in the terrace even though the rooms were not that great, but tcreath pictures of the interior really convinced me that it's nothing like the simple B&B I imagined. Your pictures of Dubrovnik, tcreath, are very impressive. They make me want to go NOW. They show how much better the view was when you're higher. I get the picture that Dubrovnik is more amazing from a distance than up close on the street level.
tripgirl:
Perhaps I have to be there to appreciate it, but honestly the deluxe room pictures at Villa Argentina is not that appealing to me, there's a certain "wanna be luxury hotel" factor in the furnishing. Do correct me if I'm wrong, as I'm judging for pictures alone, but it seems as if they want to copy the look of a luxury hotel in Venice or Cote d'Azure but they got the wrong result, what I deem as the Las Vegas factor. I prefer a more original feel or at least croatian feel in a luxury room (not that I know what the croatian feel is). Otherwise, I can be perfectly happy in the right cookie cutter chain hotel room or the right B&B. Hope you don't take it the wrong way, because if it wasn't for your persisitence I would have ended up in the wrong hotel, so a big thanks to you.
We are such creatures of habit and more inclined toward the boring modern Park Hyatts, Le Meridien, Marriott(the newer ones). Just plain solid comfort without being ostentatious. That said, I am hesitant about the Dubrovnik Hilton as there are significant downsides to its location. My greatest hope is that the Excelsior will soon show their new renovated room pictures that will be more agreeable to us otherwise we may choose Villa Argentina.
Feb 3rd, 2008, 09:39 AM
#45
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DAX,
You are really thinking things through and that's really great! You are going to love Croatia.
But I will tell you the rooms are not trying hard at all to be something they are not.
We stay at some of the finest properties in the world: George V in Paris, Peninsula in Bangkok, etc. I was raised in the hotel business and so this is why it is of utmost importance to me.
All I can tell you is that our room was sublime at the Argentina. We did in fact pay alot for it, but when added to the outstanding view, the fab terrace, the wonderful pool area it was well worth it.
Please bear in mind that Croatia is still up and coming. You won't necessarily find the Le Meridiens ( although there is one in Split), Hyatt's etc.
We truly believe that the Argentina was unique to Croatia, but you have to ultimately decide what is best for you.
As you have summarized the Hilton and the Villa Adriatic are out. I have not seen the Excelsior since it was renovated, so I cannot comment.
But trust me, there is no Las Vegas feel anywhere on the grounds of the Argentina. Our room like I said had grand oil paintings on the walls, a beautiful full marble bathroom, a huge walk in closet, a sitting area , large well decorated bed and a beautiful balcony. Fully carpeted in a rich blue shade. The room had a very rich feel to it, warm and very very comfortable. Old world, yes, but not at all of which you describe that its trying too hard; it is what it is.
It is great to be high up in Croatia, the sweeping views cannot be beat!
You are really thinking things through and that's really great! You are going to love Croatia.
But I will tell you the rooms are not trying hard at all to be something they are not.
We stay at some of the finest properties in the world: George V in Paris, Peninsula in Bangkok, etc. I was raised in the hotel business and so this is why it is of utmost importance to me.
All I can tell you is that our room was sublime at the Argentina. We did in fact pay alot for it, but when added to the outstanding view, the fab terrace, the wonderful pool area it was well worth it.
Please bear in mind that Croatia is still up and coming. You won't necessarily find the Le Meridiens ( although there is one in Split), Hyatt's etc.
We truly believe that the Argentina was unique to Croatia, but you have to ultimately decide what is best for you.
As you have summarized the Hilton and the Villa Adriatic are out. I have not seen the Excelsior since it was renovated, so I cannot comment.
But trust me, there is no Las Vegas feel anywhere on the grounds of the Argentina. Our room like I said had grand oil paintings on the walls, a beautiful full marble bathroom, a huge walk in closet, a sitting area , large well decorated bed and a beautiful balcony. Fully carpeted in a rich blue shade. The room had a very rich feel to it, warm and very very comfortable. Old world, yes, but not at all of which you describe that its trying too hard; it is what it is.
It is great to be high up in Croatia, the sweeping views cannot be beat!
Feb 3rd, 2008, 11:06 AM
#46
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DAX, I'm glad my pictures helped, even if they lead you to choose against Villa Adriatica. We all have different levels of what we like and feel comfortable in, and I admit that this type of room wouldn't be for everyone. We have stayed in simple b&b's and apartments in Italy and the rooms in those places were much better because they had a certain hominess about them. We basically chose this place based on the location and the views, as we don't spend much time in the room while on vacation, but I fully understand why it would not be for everyone.
Dubrovnik is better higher up, I admit. Those pictures that I have are from the fort way above the city, although there is nothing up there in the form of a hotel or place to stay. I highly recommend a visit though, as the views are spectacular. And as a bonus the fort itself is interesting, and it was from this fort that the Serbian army shelled Dubrovnik.
You will have a fantastic time regardless of where you choose to stay because Croatia, and particulary Dubrovnik, really is amazing.
Tracy
Dubrovnik is better higher up, I admit. Those pictures that I have are from the fort way above the city, although there is nothing up there in the form of a hotel or place to stay. I highly recommend a visit though, as the views are spectacular. And as a bonus the fort itself is interesting, and it was from this fort that the Serbian army shelled Dubrovnik.
You will have a fantastic time regardless of where you choose to stay because Croatia, and particulary Dubrovnik, really is amazing.
Tracy
Mar 18th, 2008, 10:26 PM
#47
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Tracy, I am looking at the Villa Adriatica & saw your description. We prefer boutique type hotels but require some conveniences......do they have a/c as we are there in summer. Also, hair dryers ( not as important) IS the bathroom clean and modern?
Thanks!
Thanks!
Mar 18th, 2008, 11:42 PM
#48
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I'm not really sure why some here are dismissing Hilton Imperial. Stayed there 4 nights last month. Wonderful property, wonderful views of the old town and the sea from our balcony. Short walk to the walled city. Wonderful, huge room, excellent service. To each his own but we highly recommend the Hilton.
Mar 19th, 2008, 07:39 AM
#49
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lajolla, to be honest I don't recall the AC situation because we were there in November and the AC was not necessary. You may want to contact Villa Adriatica directly on that one. As far as a blowdryer is concerned, I won't leave the house without my hair blowdryed as its a neccessity for me! I think I had to ask the owners for one, but they have spares and let me keep it for the duration of our stay.
AA, you may have been referring to my opinions on the Imperial Hilton. I liked it just fine. The room was very plush and the breakfast buffet was amazing. But its just a matter of personal taste...in my mind I could have been in any hotel anywhere. I'm just not into cookie cutter hotel rooms, as I prefer more boutique styles. As you said, to each their own.
Tracy
AA, you may have been referring to my opinions on the Imperial Hilton. I liked it just fine. The room was very plush and the breakfast buffet was amazing. But its just a matter of personal taste...in my mind I could have been in any hotel anywhere. I'm just not into cookie cutter hotel rooms, as I prefer more boutique styles. As you said, to each their own.
Tracy
